Most of Keene State College’s students may be lounging in their homes or relaxing on tropical beaches during the winter and spring breaks, but a special group of students have chosen to use their time-off in order to improve the environments and well-being of those less fortunate.
The Alternative Break Program [ABP], started in 1993 and is funded by KSC’s Community Service Office.
It provides students with the opportunity to travel across the country while still helping those around them, according to ABP’s web page.
The KSC web page explained that the Alternative Break Program started out focusing primarily on spring break trips, but there are now not only a plethora of spring break options, but also winter break and weekend trips available.
The program has expanded as a result of its past success.
It now provides the opportunity for over ten different trips throughout the 2014-2015 academic year.
Allie Norman / Equinox Staff
Junior Matt Pereira said he has had great experiences travelling to both Virginia and North Carolina with his peers and discussed the evolution of the program.
“It’s crazy how much the program has grown. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it to see the changes we’ve made in the end,” Pereira said.
Pereira said he recommends the experience to other students and works to encourage others to take the dive.
“I feel so fortunate that I have the opportunity to go and travel to help others that haven’t been as lucky as I am in life. The fact that KSC offers this kind of program is amazing. I think everyone should go on one of these trips at least once throughout college. It’s worth it,” Pereira said.
Pereira also noted that the friendships he made through the ABP program made his trips more exciting.
“The program is honestly a life-changing experience. You meet so many people you probably wouldn’t meet if you hadn’t decided to join and after everything you all go through together, those friendships will last forever,” Pereira said.
The ABP web page provides information regarding all of the trips being offered as well as information about the leaders of the program and the mission of Keene’s Community Engagement.
“There are so many different trips to choose from now. Now that the program is so extensive, there is definitely a trip for everyone,” Pereira said, “I can’t even keep track of all the places that students are going this year.”
According to ABP’s website, during winter break students will be traveling to Chicago, IL to explore urban education, Memphis, Tenn. to aid patients at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Dominican Republic to produce and distribute water filters for clean water and sanitation. These are only a few of the many options present for students interested in traveling with the Alternative Break Program during Keene’s winter break.
There are more trips available during the spring break in 2015. Students will have the opportunity to explore the effects of poverty and racism in Washington D.C., a group of students will be traveling to New Orleans and Louisiana for disaster relief with the United Saints Recovery Project.
In addition, another group will be heading to Philadelphia, Penn. in order to improve the conditions of the many homeless citizens residing there.
Paisley Krach, a KSC student and participant in the Alternative Break Program, discussed her experience travelling with her peers to Newport, N.C.
“It was an extremely rewarding experience to travel while being able to help preserve the environment, specifically oysters and the ocean because both mean a lot to me,” Krach said.
Krach explained the significance the program holds for her and recommended the experience to others who may be interested. She said she felt great being able to help out the community and had a great time while doing so.
“I thought it was a great experience and I got extremely close with my group members,” Krach said.
Just next month, members of the ABP will be travelling to Hartford, Conn. to help out Habitat with Humanity. According to Pereira, these students will work to “build or restore energy efficient housing for families in the host community.”
This is no easy feat—students in the past have been on active construction site painting, hanging drywall and roofing. This opportunity is open to all students and applications are due by Oct. 10.
Laura Maye, a sophomore at KSC, said that she plans to travel with the ABP this winter.
“I really admire the mission of the program and I’m excited to use my free time to make a difference in the environment and better other people’s lives. I think it’s a great option as opposed to just going home during the break,” Maye said.
Although Maye has not participated in the program thus far, she has anticipation and enthusiasm for the Alternative Break.
Aryanah Haydu can be contacted at ahaydu@keene-equinox.com
